New Korean War Documents on DigitalArchive.org

Since the inception of the Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) in the early 1990s, the Wilson Center has released an immense amount of documentary evidence and analysis on the Korean War. The translation and publication of Russian, Chinese, and former Eastern Bloc sources by CWIHP and, later, by the North Korea International Documentary Project (NKIDP) transformed scholarly and popular understanding of the origins, conduct, and conclusion of this conflict.

With the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War approaching, the History and Public Policy Program is publishing dozens of newly translated records on the conflict. The new sources, all obtained from Russian archives, offer insights into the collapse of Soviet-American diplomacy over Korea, Soviet aid to the DPRK prior to and during the war, Chinese-North Korean relations, and the early days of the conflict. The translations also include a record produced by Syngman Rhee, but captured by North Korean forces during the KPA's southern offensive.

List of Newly Translated Documents on the Korean War

Cable No. 121973, Meretskov and Shytkov to Cde. Stalin, 12 May 1947

A request to send Soviet specialists to North Korea. The DPRK especially needs engineers to help them build railways. Shtykov notes that if the Koreans don’t receive aid from the Soviets, they'll turn to the Americans.

Incoming Cable No. 16, Malik to Cde. Stalin, 12 September 1947

Stalin agrees to Malik's proposal regarding the situation in Korea, which calls for the creation of an All-Korean Temporary Assembly to resolve the peninsula's issues. The Soviet representative is to insist to the Americans that such a consultative body be established.

Ciphered Telegram, Molotov to Cde. Stalin, 18 September 1947

Molotov reports his answers to several questions from Vyshinsky: he advises not to be so contentious with Marshall on private questions. On the Korean issues, Vyshinsky should remind the Americans about the terms of the December agreements calling for a united, democratic Korea and that Marshall's new proposals at the UN constitute a violation of these agreements. He approves Vyshinsky's position on the veto and the peace and security committee.

Ciphered Telegram, Molotov to Cde. Stalin, 20 September 1947

Molotov relates how the Americans have rejected the Soviet position toward establishing a temporary all Korean assembly. While there is some overlap between both positions, this issue has now been exacerbated by Marshall's move to decide it in the UNGA. The Soviets should respond to this move by reiterating their commitment to a self-determined form of government for Korea, which requires the Soviets and Americans to withdraw their troops.

Draft of Telegram to Vyshinsky on the Korean Question, 23 October 1947

Vyshinsky is instructed that, because the Korean issue is already on the UNSC agenda, it should remain there. Vyshinsky should stake out a position that both American and Soviet troops withdraw simultaneously, allowing the Koreans to develop a unified government. Elected representatives from both Koreas should be invited to discussions. A time span for the troop withdrawals must be set. The draft includes some scrawled recommendations from Stalin.

Telegram No. 418 from Vyshinsky, 29 October 1947

Vyshinsky outlines the amendment that the US has introduced regarding the Korean question. Moreover, Vyshinsky asserts the plan to object to the amendment and express why the amendment is not compatible with the proposal of the Soviets.

Telegram No. 293, V. Molotov to Cde. Stalin, 29 October 1947

Molotov writes that Vyshinsky must insist on the Koreans being invited to any discussion on removing foreign troops from Korea. If opposition to such participation holds, the Soviets should abstain from voting on the matter out of principle.

Memo of the Directorate for Foreign Relations of the USSR Armed Forces General Staff about the Results of a Conference of Leaders of the Political Parties and Organizations of North and South Korea, 12 July 1948

The statement describes the conference which took place in Pyongyang from June 29 to July 5. The main goal of the conference was to discuss the separate elections held in South Korea and possibilities for the unification of Korea. The North Korean representatives considered the National Assembly formed in South Korea to be illegitimate and urged for the expulsion of foreign powers in order to achieve a unified Korea.

Telephone Message via VCh, Kim Il Sung to Generalissimo Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin, 22 September 1948

Kim Il Sung effusively praises Stalin and the USSR for its role in securing Korean independence and in negotiating with the Americans on the Korean issue.

Note, V. Molotov to Cde. Stalin, 11 March 1949

The Soviet Commission on Korea prepared an official agreement between the USSR and DPRK, which gives the DPRK credit to purchase Soviet military equipment and materials.

Agreement between the Government of the USSR and the Government of the DPRK regarding Extending a Loan by the Soviet Union to the Government of the DPRK to Pay for Equipment and Materials as Well as the Military Property Supplied to Korea, 17 March 1949

Agreement between the government of the Soviet Union and the government of the DPRK to grant the Republic of Korea a loan to pay for the supplied equipment and materials, as well as military equipment.

Excerpt from Minutes Nº 68 of the CC Politburo Meeting of 18 March 1949, '14. Concerning Korea,' 18 March 1949

The Soviet Politburo approves several agreements concerning aid and trade between the Soviet Union and North Korea.

Soviet-Korean Protocol about Temporarily Leaving Soviet Navy Subunits in the Port of Chongjin, March 1949

List of agreements between the two governments that state that the USSR will leave some of their navy forces in the port of Chongjin, and that the DPRK will provide the necessary housing and facilities for the troops. Troops will be excused from customs and those working for the troops can move across borders with documents decided by both the USSR and DPRK.

Telegram, Shtemenko and Vasilevsky to Stalin, 20 April 1949

A telegram informing Stalin that there has been about 37 violations from the South Koreans over the 38 parallel, and that the Soviet government should advise the North Koreans to take appropriate measures to be ready to respond to more provocative actions from the North Koreans.

Telegram, Shtykov to Vyshinsky, 15 May 1949

Shtykov recounts a recent meeting between Kim Il and Mao Zedong.

Cable, Filippov [Stalin] to the Soviet Ambassador, Pyongyang, 3 October 1949

Stalin asks the ambassador to find the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Beijing and tell him that they agree with the DPRK's thinking on the feasibility of establishing diplomatic relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China.

Cable Telegram no. 59363 from Kovalev to Stalin, containing a message from Mao Zedong, 23 October 1949

Mao details the actions of the Worker's Party of South Korea, its attempted actions and its repression by state authorities in the last month, and reiterates that he advised against offensive action.

Cable Nos. 826-827 from Shtykov, 3 November 1949

Shtykov requests the Soviet government to give Koreans further aid in instruments for an arsenal.

Cable Telegram no. 20475 from Gromyko to Kovalev, 5 November 1949

Gromyko demands Kovalev pass the reply of Stalin to Mao Zedong in response to his telegram regarding the Workers' Party of South Korea.

Outgoing Telegram No. 2429, Vyshinsky to Shtykov, 9 February 1950

Vyshinsky relays that all of the things that Kim Il Sung requested are allowed.

Cable No. 2220, from Filippov [Stalin] to Mao Zedong, 3 May 1950

A message to Mao stating that Mao's requests for aviation equipment, naval equipment and consultants were received and that these requests will be met as soon as possible.

Telegram from Lake Success, Trygve Lie to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moscow, 26 June 1950

A telegram conveying the UN Security Council's resolution calling for North Korea to withdraw from the 38th Parallel.

Cable No. 21340, Mao Zedong to Filippov [Stalin], 30 June 1950

Mao asks Stalin to make sure that Kim Il Sung knows that he must agree to conduct negotiations to cease hostilities, and to decide the time, place, and number of participants for these negotiations. Mao continues to give his advice as to what the best place and time would be for these negotiations (place, on the 38th parallel; and time, 15 July, 1950).

Cable No. 405743, Shtykov to Stalin, 30 June 1950

North Korea requests supplies and weapons from the Soviet Union.

Incoming Cable No. 19413, Roschin to the Central Committee, 2 July 1950

Roschin tells the CC of his meeting with Zhou Enlai, in which they discussed talks with the Indian ambassador over maneuvering at the UN, and over the possibility of Chinese intervention in Korea against American forces.

Handwritten Letter, Kim Il Sung to Joseph Stalin, 8 July 1950

About the 25-35 Soviet military advisors given to the Korean army.

Handwritten Letter, Kim Il Sung to Terenti Shtykov, 9 July 1950

Letter requesting 2000 units of barrage, 10 torpedo boats, and 3 torpedoes for the coastal defense of North Korea.

Incoming Cable No. 600081, Shtykov to Vyshinky, 2 September 1950

Shtykov passes on a memorandum to Vyshinsky written by Syngman Rhee to Dr. Robert T. Oliver.

Letter, Syngman Rhee to Dr. Robert T. Oliver [Soviet Translation]

Letter from Syngman Rhee translated into Russian. The original was likely found when the Communists seized Seoul.  Syngman Rhee urges Oliver to come to South Korea to help develop the nation independent of foreign invaders and restore order to his country.

Cable, Gromyko to the Soviet Ambassador, Peking, 20 September 1950

Cable explaining that China and the Soviet Union are getting incomplete information from North Korea. Also discussing how North Korea is doing militarily and China's admission into the UN.

Incoming Cable No. 28116, Vyshinsky to Gromyko, 27 September 1950

On the meeting that took place between Tsarapkin and an American intermediary named Lancaster. They talked about the Korean issue.

Telegram, Gromyko to Cde. I.V. Stalin, Transmitting Letter from Kim Il Sung, 28 September 1950

Kim Il Sung expresses his gratitude. In his telegram Gromyko informs Stalin of other letters from Kim Il Sung concerning the training of 120 Korean pilots in the Soviet Union, the supply of cars to the DPRK, the four advisors to North Korea's Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the wages of the air force cadets of the People's Army who are training in the Soviet Union.

Outgoing Cable No. 18249, Gromyko to Vyshinsky, 28 September 1950

Gromyko asks Vyshinsky to get Tsarapkin to inform American intermediary Lancaster that Malik has agreed to the meeting. Malik must hear out the Americans and if it seems that they're willing to work towards a peaceful resolution, tell Lancaster that any questions that the Americans had during this discussion will be answered in the next meeting.

Cable No. 600308, Shtykov to Stalin, transmitting Letter from Kim Il Sung and Pak Heon-Yeong, 30 September 1950

Telegram from Kim Il Sung and Pak Heon-yeong telling Stalin of the losses they have incurred following American air and ground attacks in South Korea and of their general lack of supplies and trained personnel.